Roman Road Market

Roman Road Market view of clothes rails

Going down the Roman

Roman Road Market is a traditional East End street market that has been running for over 150 years. Stretching half a kilometer through the heart of Bow in east London, the market is famed for its affordable women’s fashion, delicious street food, and quality homeware.

Notable stands include Stuart’s fabric stall, SuperChefCaribbean, and end-of-line French Connection and Top Shop outfits. Read more about the best stalls on Roman Road Market here.

Roman Road Market’s rich and varied history befits its status as one of the oldest trading street markets in the country. It started in 1843, when it was illegal ‘but withstood several attempts to close it down.’

It was first recorded as a market in 1887 by Charles Booth, who toured the area and reported that Roman Road ’is one of the great market streets in London. Things to be bought of every sort, even patent leather shoes. Some demand for good quality as well as for cheapness.’ We like to think that character has stuck. The market is still at the heart of Bow life, and ‘going down the Roman’ has been a tradition for generations.

And that’s to say nothing of the shops. Roman Road is lined with dozens of independent stores, cafes, and restaurants. Get lunch at Fiesta, a proper East End caff, or even jellied eels at GKelly, one of the East End’s last remaining pie and mash shops, a bag of candy at Sweet Treats, or simply come by, dive in, and discover the Roman for yourself.

Roman Road Market opening hours

Roman Road Market runs from 10am to 3.30pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays and from 9am to 4pm on Saturdays.

Apply for a stall at Roman Road Market

Roman Road Market is run by the London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

To apply for a stall visit London Borough of Tower Hamlets.

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